Taxi drivers stoning vehicles in Cape Town

[daveza]

http://www.eyewitness.co.za/story.aspx?id=1691

Taxi violence erupted in Cape Town on Tuesday morning.

Taxi operators took to the streets in Du Noon in Milnerton, Delft and Khayelitsha, and stoned passing cars and buses.

The taxi operators are unhappy over government’s proposed Bus Rapid Transport system which they claim will negatively affect the taxi industry.

It’s believed that shots were fired in at least one of the hotspots, as police clashed with protestors.

Authorities were assessing the situation, but said they feared the violence would spread, as taxi drivers were expected to converge in the city centre later on Tuesday.

Apparently cars are also being stoned on the Stellenbosch arterial - so be careful out there.

Time to bring out the portable vehicle crusher and put an end to the mayhem once and for all.

 

[drew137]

I wonder if it's going to be safe going past the upper station deck in CT today? Cant go the other way from Century City they making nonsense that side to apparently!

 

[daveza]

http://www.eyewitness.co.za/story.aspx?id=1687

Taxi operators threaten to sabotage 2010
Eyewitness News | 3 Minutes Ago

A group of taxi operators have threatened to sabotage the 2010 FIFA World Cup if the government ignores their concerns.

The operators are up in arms over several issues, including the introduction of a new public transport system.

They claim government wants to reduce the number of taxis on the country’s roads.
The Surren Taxi Association’s Ismail Baradon warned that if the ministry failed to act, it would be to blame for major disruptions in 2010 proceedings.


He pointed out that during the cricket and rugby world cups held in South Africa, taxis did not benefit at all.

“What makes them think that this two ten [sic] we will benefit?”


Baradon highlights how the taxi industry is feeding the economy and advises the minister to wake up.

“We put the minister there to serve the people but right now the minister’s not doing his job. There will be no votes for him, or there won’t be any World Cup in this country, period.”

Baradon said that they would fight till the bitter end to put an end to the implementation of the Bus Rapid Transport System, calling for government to stop pumping millions into the stadiums since the transport was the heartbeat of the city.

“If they think there was a strike, 1976, we were children throwing stones. We are much bigger and much stronger. We will fight with the last drop of blood in our veins to stop this process” says Baradon.

Now they are still children throwing stones.

Let's see if Baradon gets charged with advocating violence....

 

[Sneeky]

If they throw stones, throw lots of bullets back at 2000 feet / sec.

 

[daveza]

Some up to date info -

The N7 at Potsdam road closed to traffic due taxi and bus strike expect workers to be late today.

The N7 at Potsdam road closed to traffic due taxi and bus strike expect workers to be late today as well as reports of a taxi strike in Kraaifontein.

Motorists are urged to be on High Alert or avoid travelling on the N2 from Mew Way, Baden Powell, Spine Road and Borcherd’s Quarry due to taxi related violence.

On Delft main road and Stellenbosch arterial people are stoning, motorists to avoid travelling in that area.

 

[Alan]

If they throw stones, throw lots of bullets back at 2000 feet / sec.

Exactly


But then what about their precious 'human rights'

 

[Slaine73]

Shoot the bloody idiots. Our public transport system sucks and now that there is a chance that we can get for the first time something decent they want to sabotage it. The fewer taxi's there are on the road the safer our roads will be any way!

 

[quiksilver]

Shoot the bloody idiots...

And not with the rubber bullets this time.

 

[Slaine73]

And not with the rubber bullets this time.

Yep, it is a waste of money and ammo to use the rubber bullets...

 

[daveza]

The pacifist in me wants to agree.

 

[Slaine73]

The pacifist in me wants to agree.

ROFL. You see if you use rubber bullets the tax payer must still pay for the treatments over and over again. Sharp point ammunition, the tax payer pays for the bullet and the funeral, ONCE. End of another African fairy tale

 

[brixton tower]

http://www.eyewitness.co.za/story.aspx?id=1691



Apparently cars are also being stoned on the Stellenbosch arterial - so be careful out there.

Time to bring out the portable vehicle crusher and put an end to the mayhem once and for all.

Fukkin retarded. Taxi drivers/owners are the lowest form of life. I say this because I used to travel in taxis and they drivers do not care about their passengers or other road users.

Many people are not able to choose their modes of transport...Golden Arrow buses aren't much better than the taxis and often break down. Why can't they allow/subsidise private contractors to provide public transport like in other parts of the world?

 

[Slaine73]

Fukkin retarded. Taxi drivers/owners are the lowest form of life. I say this because I used to travel in taxis and they drivers do not care about their passengers or other road users.

Many people are not able to choose their modes of transport...Golden Arrow buses aren't much better than the taxis and often break down. Why can't they allow/subsidise private contractors to provide public transport like in other parts of the world?

Very good point!

 

[porn$tar]

This is why they won't allow private contractors.

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=149591&highlight=taxi

 

[Nod]

The taxi operators are unhappy over government’s proposed Bus Rapid Transport system which they claim will negatively affect the taxi industry.

How many public transport ideas have already been canned because of these clowns? They seem to always get what they want to the decrement of the public at large. Time for government to take a stance on this. The Taxi Ass's have too much power, and governments reaction to their demands will either confirm or deny that power.

 

[Slootvreter]

If they throw stones, throw lots of bullets back at 2000 feet / sec.

Are you crazy? And violate their right to life?

 

[Slaine73]

How many public transport ideas have already been canned because of these clowns? They seem to always get what they want to the decrement of the public at large. Time for government to take a stance on this. The Taxi Ass's have to much power, and governments reaction to their demands will either confirm or deny that power.

Yep and so far government always just backed down, so what does that tell everybody??!!

 

[daveza]

Are you crazy? And violate their right to life?

Think of them as elephants being culled.

 

[porn$tar]

Think of them as elephants being culled.

I'd rather think of them as taxi drivers being beaten into a coma with tyre irons.

 

[Slaine73]

I'd rather think of them as taxi drivers being beaten into a coma with tyre irons.

I have to agree with you on all counts there